Washboard.



Patented Apr. 9, |901.

P. J. JOECKEN.

WASHBOARD.

(Application filed Nov. 9, 1900.)

(No ModelJ' ww MMM.

UNITED STATES PETER J. JoEcKEN, or CLEVELAND,

OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE AMERICAN WASHBOARD COMPANY, OIT-SAME PLACE.

wAsHBoARD.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 671,801, dated April 9, 1901.

Application filed November 9, 1900. Serial No. 35,899. (No model.)

To L7/Z whom. it Wawy concern/f Be it known that I, PETER J. JoEcKEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio,have invented or discovered certain new and useful Improvements in Washboards, of which improvements the following is a specification. Y

The invention described herein relates to certain improvements in washboards, and has for its object a construction whereby the warping and buckling of the backboard and the outward bowing of the legs or side pieces due to the swelling and shrinking of the same are prevented and whereby a more firm and rigid support for the rubbing-face is provided.

The invention is hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specication, Figure 1 is a view, partly in front elevation and partly in section, of my improved washboard. Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section of ,a double-faced washboard embodying my improvement, and Fig. 3 is a similar view of a single-faced washboard.

In the practice of my invention the side bars l, headpiece 2, brand-board 3, and rubbing face or faces 4 are constructed in the usual or any suitable manner. The backboard 5 consists of a series of two or more sections supported and spaced by a series of three or more cross-pieces 6. The end crosspieces are similar to those now used in washboards and have the ends of the rubbing-faces secured thereto. The intermediate cross piece or pieces alternate with the sections of the backboard and serve as rests or supports for the adjacent upper section of the backboard. The ends of the backboard-sections project into grooves in the inner faces of the side bars, and the middle portions of the sections are held in line with the intermediate cross-piece by the rubbing-faces of doublefaced boards or by the rubbing-face and ribs 7 on the cross-pieces 6a in single-faced washboards.

As in use the baekboard or backboard-sections would rest on the lower cross-piece, the

gap or opening left for expansion or swelling would be between the upper end of the backboard and the upper cross-piece were it not for the interposition of the intermediate crosspieces. By the employment of the intermediate cross-piece the gap or opening for expansion or swelling is divided, as clearly shown in the drawings, part of such gap being between the upper cross-piece and the upper section of the backboard and part between the intermediate cross-piece and the lower section of the backboard, and, further, the intermediate cross piece, having its ends nailed or otherwise secured to the legs 0r side pieces, serves to prevent the outward bowing of the legs or side pieces as would permit of the dropping out of the backboard and rubbing-face.

The cost of lumber increases nearly in direct proportion to increase in width. Hence by making the backboard of a series 0f comparatively narrow pieces in lieu of one broad piece a very considerable saving in expense of material is eected.

As the ends of the intermediate cross-piece are attached to the side bars by nails or other suitable means, a very rigid frame is formed.

I claim herein as my inventionl. A washboard provided with a backboard formed i'n horizontal sections, and a crosspiece intermediate of adjacent backboardsections, said cross-piece having its ends secured to the side bars or legs,.and serving to support the sections in vertical position and to prevent twisting or bowing of the legs, substantially asset forth.

2. A washboard provided with a backboard formed in sections and with cross-pieces having supporting-ribs and arranged at the ends and intermediate of the backboard-sections, the cross-pieces having their ends secured to the side bars or legs of the washboard, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

PETER J. JOECKEN.

Witnesses:

A. B. CALHOUN, J. M. GORHAM. 

